https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-332-Vision-and-Ambitions-Part-One-/12918608/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-334-The-Emperor-s-Seed-Third-Watch-/12918612/
Chapter 333: The True Chaos (Second Shift)
Chapter 333: The True Chaos (Second Shift)
"What?"
The calmness with which Hu Ma spoke left the Life Malevolence Altar Keeper stunned. He lifted his head, blinking in a daze, but couldn't find the words to respond.
To the average person, the Life Malevolence Altar Keeper seemed unbound, with only a single grass rope tied in a loop around his neck, hanging loosely as if it would break with the slightest struggle.
But he remained motionless, as if restrained by an enormous and heavy shackle. Over the past day, he had struggled countless times, tried various methods, yet there was not a glimmer of hope for escape.
He had thought this grass rope was some powerful magical treasure, but now, upon hearing the word "Shackling Spell," he suddenly froze, and the following words, "New Year Scroll," thundered in his ears, almost scrambling his thoughts.
The name 'Shackling Spell' seemed familiar, as if he had heard it from the Five Sins Lord...
And the 'New Year Scroll'...
...As he thought about it, his eyes slowly widened.
They grew wider and wider, as if the fear and shock in his eyes were about to burst forth. An invisible tremor crawled all over his body, and his mouth slowly opened, but he didn't know what to ask. His voice trembled, "You..."
Hu Ma smiled but didn't reply. He just stared at the man, silently reciting the Shackling Spell.
The man had countless questions he wanted to ask, but he suddenly screamed and fell to the ground, his buttocks high in the air, and his head touching the ground.
It was as if an invisible shackle was around his neck, becoming heavier and more oppressive, forcing his entire body downward, almost pushing him into the muddy ground.
"L-Lord... Lord..."
The man couldn't hold on for long. His voice trembled, and his words were muffled with fear and desperation.
Since returning from Anzhou, Hu Ma had diligently practiced for half a year. He had learned many of the New Year Guardian's skills and had also begun to seriously study the New Year Scroll. Now, he wanted to test the power of the Shackling Spell, but he was a bit disappointed that his opponent had lasted only this long.
However, he decided to stop for now, still concerned that the spell might be too harsh and accidentally kill the man. He still had use for this person...
With a light sigh, Hu Ma paused his incantation, only to find the Life Malevolence Altar Keeper shivering uncontrollably, yet still maintaining his kneeling position. He didn't get up.
Hu Ma was taken aback for a moment before realizing that the man was not only kneeling due to the spell but also because he dared not stand.
If someone knelt before him, he would usually ask them to rise or at least sit in his presence. But since this man was under the Five Sins Divine Hand, he didn't bother and just smiled, saying, "Are you ready to answer now?"
The Life Malevolence Altar Keeper's forehead still touched the ground, and his whole body trembled as he dared not look at Hu Ma. He said, "Y-You... Y-You really are..."
Hu Ma smiled and said, "I'm asking you, not the other way around."
"Y-Yes, yes..."
The Life Malevolence Altar Keeper trembled as he replied, "L-Lord, what you said is true... The Five Sins Lord... No, the Five Sins Demon doesn't care about the lives of those under him..."
"We say we're offering incense, but we're just doing his bidding. He can easily find seven or eight people to replace us. In truth, we're also being forced..."
"..."
"Enough."
Hu Ma didn't want him to say more. He calmly said, "He originally wanted you to set up the altars, but now that the five sin altars have been destroyed, he doesn't seem to care. How does he plan to descend upon Bright State now?"
'So the other sin altars have also been destroyed?'
The Life Malevolence Altar Keeper, unaware of the events in other places, suddenly realized upon hearing this, confirming his suspicions. His heart sank into despair. In response to Hu Ma's question, he had no intention of resisting and bitterly smiled, saying, "The destruction of the sin altars is no small matter."
"But... But Lord, you didn't notice that even though the altars were destroyed, the malevolent energy remains?"
"..."
"Hmm?"
Hearing the trembling in his voice, Hu Ma frowned slightly and quickly thought it through. Suddenly, he understood the problem.
The Five Sins Altar Keepers were almost completely defeated.
However, although their altars hadn't been successfully established, the malevolent energy they created had already spread throughout Bright State.
Or rather, these were not mere altars but five venomous ulcers planted in Bright State.
Moreover, the spread of these ulcers was exceptionally rapid.
Looking at the five places where they had sealed treasures and created malevolence, they had already begun to undergo nightmarish changes. The key was not the altars themselves but that chaos had begun to spread from these locations.
Where there are spiritual treasures, the land enjoys harmonious weather, abundant resources, and prosperous lives for its people. But when these treasures are stolen, the land suffers from a backlash, causing the feng shui to deteriorate and affecting the people's fortunes.
Now, not only had they sealed treasures, but they also used these treasures to create malevolence, instantly turning these places into malevolent sin lands, affecting the entire Bright State.
After the Oxen Treasure Land was plundered, within just two days, the crops withered, the canals became putrid, and hundreds of miles of fertile fields turned into wastelands. Even the grain stored in the granaries mysteriously molded, rotted, and black water seeped out.
What is this?
It's all about human lives!
With the crops destroyed and the grain spoiled, the coming year will be a time of scarcity, and countless people may starve.
How can the villagers not be afraid?
Moreover, in just two days, the withering of the crops has spread from one place to seven or eight surrounding villages and counties.
The neighboring villages have been in a panic for some time, inviting countless exorcists and capable people to investigate the situation.
As for the Mule and Horse Guild, guarding the Gold and Silver Children is the blessing of generations, but now, with the Gold and Silver Children captured and turned into malevolent objects, what was once a symbol of wealth has become an evil force.
These Gold and Silver Children are extremely rare treasures, even within the inner halls. The allure of gold and silver is enough to bewilder anyone; all one needs to do is blow on the Gold and Silver Children, and anyone will be immediately entranced.
With their eyes fixated on silver and money, they forget all rules and limits, and even good and kind families can instantly turn vicious and ruthless, engaging in arson, looting, and pillaging.
Earlier, the Red Lantern Society gathered martial artists to confront the Wealth Malevolence Messenger, but after several encounters, they realized he was not their match and fled.
However, the Mule and Horse Guild has been affected by the malevolent energy of the Gold and Silver Children, becoming obsessed with wealth. In just two days, they have already robbed several villages, three or four money houses, and merchant caravans, causing significant trouble.
But under the influence of this malevolent energy, there is no cure, and it is difficult to treat. After all, they are ordinary people, and even the Red Lantern Society does not take them seriously, leaving them aside without any attention.
The Red Lantern Society's target remains the pursuit and elimination of the Wealth Malevolence Altar Master. But to escape, this villain uses the Gold and Silver Children to spread malevolent energy wherever he goes, affecting countless villagers, causing chaos, and stealing money and treasures. He has become a notorious bandit.
As for Longevity Village, it is even more powerful.
By forcibly taking the lives of those who should not have died, how can their hearts not be filled with overwhelming resentment?
The Longevity Ghosts hate the living, seeking revenge for their stolen lifespans. If this continues, the village will eventually become a malevolent land where no one can live a long life.
However, with the influence of certain individuals, the village has become a place overflowing with malevolent energy, affecting more areas. Even though the Grass Heart Hall has allowed the Life Deciders Sect to intervene, the damage is already done, and it will take time to reverse the situation.
With their lifespans abruptly shortened, people will face calamities, sudden illnesses, or encounter various misfortunes, further exacerbating the malevolent energy in other places.
As for the other two places, there is even less to say.
This Malevolent Fate Land, where I resolved the issue, was a place of destroyed virtue. This land, once rich in virtue, was like a stabilizer, influencing the surrounding villages to maintain peace and order. But now, with the Malevolent Fate Messenger defeated, the village has already lost half its population, and the malevolent energy has taken root. They can barely take care of themselves, let alone others.
As for the other one, the woman who carries a child and steals treasures, she is even more formidable. By stealing the blessings from the southwest corner of Bright State, she has created fertile ground for this malevolent energy to thrive, making it even stronger.
Together, we have crushed the Five Sins Altar Master, driving him to the brink of despair.
But no matter what we do to them, it only concerns the martial world and does not involve the commoners affected by the malevolent energy.
The truly important issue is the chaos they have caused in five villages and towns in Bright State after sealing treasures and creating malevolence. Now, the people are in panic, and the situation has escalated into a disaster, affecting the entire state.
It's like someone setting a fire; catching the arsonist is easy, but how do you stop the fire once it's raging?
"This is the power of the Five Sorrows Deity..."
Even Hu Ma, thinking silently, couldn't help but sigh, finally understanding Second Pot Brother's previous words.
The power of the Inner Hall lies not in the struggle between two sides but in their manipulation of fate.
If a place has poor feng shui and loses its virtue, it becomes prone to natural and human disasters, leading to a miserable existence for the people. Over time, those who can no longer endure will resort to robbery and banditry, bringing chaos to the region.
If this continues, even a mighty dynasty can be toppled.
Usually, it takes a year for disasters, two years for bandits, and three years for calamities to develop.
But the Five Sorrows Deity possesses the ability to expedite this process, turning years of brewing into a matter of days.
"Hehe, a high-end game indeed..."
Understanding this, even Hu Ma felt a sense of oppression in his heart. He focused his gaze on the Malevolent Fate Altar Keeper kneeling on the ground and asked in a low voice, "Then, what benefit does your master seek by causing chaos in Bright State Prefecture?"
The Malevolent Fate Altar Keeper, his head lowered, spoke with a muffled voice, as if on the verge of tears, "Why do you mock me, sir? Don't you know that the selection of a new emperor has already begun?"
(End of Chapter)
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